SARAH WHARTON RIGGLE

Painting on the shore of Lake Tahoe, California. Good Times!

Creating mosaics and painting outdoors are my passions. I have been fortunate to pursue those interests during the last several years while living in some incredible locations and raising my 3 sons. My muse is the landscape and its flora and fauna.

I began seriously pursuing art after my 2nd son was born, while living in a small town in Montana. I have drawn or painted since I was a little girl, and studied wildlife biology in college. My work in the wildlife field enabled me to work in places where some only dream of working. Those early experiences, a deep love of nature, and exploring many wild places over my life continue to influence my work. I am drawn to the landscape and its myriad of changing light and colors.

In 2003 my husband’s job transfer to the island of Kauai, Hawaii, led to many wonderful opportunities. New terrain, wildlife, and plants were in abundance year-round, and I was fortunate to be able to paint outdoors with other kindred spirits. The landscape was vibrant and colorful, and I began the dream job of teaching watercolor painting to tourists. We lived there for 10 years, and enjoyed every minute. But we were ready to get back to the mainland, and coming back did not disappoint. I was thrilled to see snowy mountains and experience “real” seasons again.

Since moving to Fallon, Nevada, in 2013, I have been exploring new territory: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and many other beautiful areas in the Sierras. I belong to the Reno Tahoe Plein Air Painters, and frequently join them to paint at a variety of inspiring locations. In addition, camping trips and travel with my husband and family have all led to glorious places that provide me with enough reference material to last a lifetime!

Most recently, I have begun creating mosaics. I have always been drawn to the idea of piecing together glass and found objects into an art form. As a little girl, I loved to find pretty bits of glass, shells and other trinkets from our travels. Mosaic allows me to combine and repurpose glass scraps, pottery and other objects into something incredibly unique. The idea of turning “chaos into order” makes me happy, even though it may take many, many hours!

My goal with my work is to create a “cause for pause”—a reason to stop and look at something more closely or trigger a pleasant memory. My hope is that people will find reason to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us.